The Houston Texans made huge strides last season. They went from a 3-13-1 season in 2022 to 10-7 last season. That helped the team get back to the postseason for the first time since 2019.
The Texans had more or less turned to rubble after sexual assault allegations were handed down to former quarterback and first-round pick (12th overall) Deshaun Watson in 2021. It took until they finally found his replacement in C.J. Stroud to become competitive again.
Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It didn't take long for the former Ohio State quarterback to become one of the top quarterbacks in the league last season.
Stroud's teammate, wide receiver Tank Dell, who he connected with in Week 2 of last season against the Indianapolis Colts for a touchdown in a 31-20 loss, thinks he has a chance to be the best quarterback in the entire league this upcoming season.
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"C.J. got the opportunity to be the best quarterback in the league," Dell told I Am Athlete. "[It's] not me just saying that because of who he is to me but just like what I'm seeing him do each and every week. What the world sees, they seeing exactly what we're seeing, how he just coming out there as a 21-year-old man going against grown men, and he's out here just balling every week."
By Week 5, Stroud was already breaking records. He broke Dak Prescott's pass attempts without an interception record with his 177th pass attempt. He extended that to 191 pass attempts, throwing his first interception in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints.
For the season, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 63.9 percent completion percentage. His performances earned him the award of Offensive Rookie of the Year while also being named to the Pro Bowl.
"I feel like C.J. got to just keep doing what he's doing to bridge the gap between him and [Patrick] Mahomes," Dell said.
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Dell was the Texans second-leading receiver last season with 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.
Stroud, Dell and the Texans will come into the 2024 NFL season with a ton of hype after a very successful offseason. Not only did Houston add another promising draft class, but they also added Stefon Diggs as another weapon on the offense for Stroud to throw to.
